Bird

iTrader: (25)

Well...gorilla hands and arms + long tubes + small confines of a 98 SS = a lot of frustration and bad words. At least, the local neighborhood cat was amused (until I threw the socket wrench at him for laughing at me). Even with taking the first 3 coil packs off the passenger side, I still barely had room to just get my fingers on the back plug - ended up coming up from the bottom to loosen it, then reaching around from the top to fingertip it out, then fingertip a new one back in then another trip back underneath to tighten it (darned cat came back again to ridicule some more also).

Needless to say, it's all back together and actually runs better so despite a few nicks, scrapes and bruises, I'm OK with it - the HOA probably will send me a letter for the foul language, but they'll get over it. I even made friends with the cat again.............................

For those that will say "it's easy", all I can say is 'F' you - I'm 6'6" and 305# and don't fit into those tight spaces easily (but I can reach completely across the engine compartment for that tool that somehow tried to get away from me)

OK, time to go clean the pig now...............


Bird

Martin HD-28

iTrader: (16)

God do I know what you mean!!! I had all those problems as well, put it all back together, took it for a spin and it started misfiring (damn iridium plugs). Took it apart put it back together again, same thing, misfiring. Did this 4 times, finally I took those iridium plugs out, put on the same kind I took off and it runs like a champ. I'll never try iridium plugs again!!!!

slow1999blackz28

i hate those darn spark plugs

RyderTA

iTrader: (3)

The first time took about 1-1.5 hours but after the learning curve they don't bug me anymore, I can have them all changed within 20-30 minutes.

2000NavyZ

iTrader: (8)

damn, i changed mine in 20 mins today. just take the damn coil packs off!!!

Bird

iTrader: (25)

You obviously didn't read my post too well - took the coil packs off and still had troubles reaching in there with my big meathooks.

I guess this is one chore where it pays to have little girly, skinny hands and arms...............


Bird

99RebelZ28

I can do mine in about 20 minutes with the longtubes. With the stock manifolds on the other hand, it is a pain in the ***, #8 was just about impossible.

99blancoSS

iTrader: (115)

LMAO! I had to drive 86 miles round trip to help another gigantor out for the same reason on Easter Sunday. Just to damn big to get his hands and arms in there for #8. I'm 6'3 260 so it's no joy for me but not that hard either.

2000NavyZ

iTrader: (8)

i dont have skinny girly hands, nor do i have gigantic ape hands. swival sockets and ratchets work wonders. especially with long tubes on the car. I did the last two on the passenger side from underneath.

SladeX

I could make a killing as a LS1 f-body mechanic... It takes me longer to take the coil packs off than it does to get the plugs out. I get number 8 from behind and around the engine where I maneuver my arm into the space behind the intake and do a reach around...

Also helps I have a socket wrench with a swivel head that's got a long arm for added leverage... it's in the tools...

newton

iTrader: (4)

The coil packs on '98s are a bit different I think. I'm 5'11" and 160 lbs and I had a hard time with the pass. back 2 plugs. The last one SUCKED.

BadGTho

iTrader: (6)

wow.. 6'6'' and 305 lbs reaching down into an LS1 engine bay?

i'm picturing bowzer in mario kart 64.

LT1-DAN

haha, now go change plugs on a LT1.

'Trust'

iTrader: (24)

The only difference is they aren't on the bracket, they all bolt to the valve cover individually. Just takes 10x as long to get them all off, lol.

Bird

iTrader: (25)

The coilpacks came out pretty quickly - the problem was trying to get this hand that takes a 3XL glove down into that small area or up between the heat shield and long tubes - the heat shield is coming off the next time.

Bird

E V I L

iTrader: (6)

The back two on the passenger side do suck.

After 4-5 changes under my belt I can say that I am a pro at the plug change now. For me atleast, putting my knees on the battery helped me alot with the #8. Next time will be much easier. A 1" extension I bought from Sears also helped me alot. The standard 3" is too long.

CJDZ24_Z28

iTrader: (75)

Yup experience is the key. I can do all mine in 30 min now no problem. I haven't done them on my vette yet

LilJayV10

iTrader: (39)

Tru dat. They freakin suck.